Mauritius: travel information
How to get to Mauritius
Air connections Air Mauritius is the national airline of Mauritius. It flies partially non-stop to Mauritius from Frankfurt/Main, Munich, Vienna, Geneva and Zurich. There are also flight connections from Frankfurt/Main with Condor, British Airways, Lauda Air and Swiss. LTU flies to Mauritius from Düsseldorf, Frankfurt and Munich. Air Seychelles (also further to Paris), Air Austral (to/from La Réunion from/to Paris) and Air Mauritius to / from La Réunion offer flight connections with the neighboring islands.
Travel in the country
By plane
Air Mauritius flies daily between SS Ramgoolam and Rodrigues Island. The baggage allowance on this domestic flight is only 15 kg. Each additional kilo is then charged at just under one euro. The baggage is then kept on stand-by, which means that when the aircraft is full, the baggage will only be brought to the next flight or the next day. If the flight from Mauritius to Rodrigues is part of an international transit flight – but transit takes less than 24 hours – then 23kg baggage allowance is allowed.
The airport of Port Louis is the Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport of Plaine-Magnien, near Mahébourg and about 30 km southeast of Port Louis. It is very easy to see. But you should keep in mind that when entering passport control, the process is slow and the departure hall is often overcrowded when leaving. So it pays not to be late for the airport.
Railway
There is no railway in Mauritius.
Bus
There are good and inexpensive bus connections in Mauritius and driving is an experience in itself. To find your way around: There are timetables, but they are usually missing at the stops. But you can read the terminus at the top of the bus. Buses can be stopped simply by waving at the road, which is again practical. Then you get in, sit down and pay the conductor. You tell him the destination, he gives the price, you pay. It is important that you get a ticket because it is often checked. If you want to get off, you ring the bell in front of the stop.
There are bus stations in all major towns. The buses run at shorter intervals from 5:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. The last one runs from Cap Malheureux and heads towards Port Louis.
Taxis and minibuses
Taxis and minibuses with a driver are only slightly more expensive than renting your own car. For all vehicles you should pay attention to a functioning air conditioning and if necessary negotiate the price. In any case, the fare should be negotiated before the journey begins. A taxi is particularly recommended for trips to Port Louis, which is somewhat chaotic in terms of traffic.
Rental car
The road network covers 1,910 km; 1,834 km of this is tarred. Because of the left-hand traffic and the many roundabouts, the traffic conditions are challenging to difficult for inexperienced drivers. There are numerous rental car providers in Mauritius, so it’s easy to compare prices. If you take a car on site, you will find cheaper offers from local agencies (from € 30 per day) than from the major international agencies. And the longer you rent the car, the cheaper it becomes. But you should always pay close attention to the condition of the car and the insurance conditions. The good news is that some rental car companies will bring the cars straight to the property.
Ferry connections
There are connections from Mauritius to the island of Réunion and from Port Louis to the island of Rodrigues. The boat trip between Mauritius and Réunion takes between 10 and 12 hours.
Traffic rules
There is left-hand traffic in Mauritius. The maximum speeds shown can of course be reduced or increased by traffic signs. Regardless of the information given here, it is advisable to obtain detailed information from the ADAC, the AvD or the traffic clubs in Mauritius.
Top speeds
- Urban: In built-up areas there is a speed limit of 40 km/h
- Country roads: There is a speed limit of 80 km/h on country roads
- Expressways: There is a speed limit of 90 km/h on some special expressways
International license plate
According to Abbreviationfinder, the international license plate of Mauritius is:
| MS |
Tourist office
Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority
c/o Aviareps Tourism GmbH
Sonnenstr. 9
80331 Munich
Tel: 0049 – (0) 89 – 23 66 21 834
www.tourism-mauritius.mu
Entry and exit regulations
Formalities and visas
German, Austrian and Swiss citizens need a passport to enter Mauritius, which must be valid for at least six months. The child ID is recognized, but a photo is required.
The entry of a child in a parent’s passport is also recognized; a photo is also required here. The border police will issue an “Entry Permit” upon arrival, which is valid according to the tickets/hotel reservations/funds presented.
An extension of the stay up to six months is possible if sufficient financial means are provided. The Passport and Immigration Office in Port Louis is responsible for renewal.
A valid yellow fever vaccination must be proven when entering from a yellow fever infection area.
Embassy of the Republic of Mauritius
Kurfürstenstr. 84
10787 Berlin
Tel: 0049 – (0) 30 – 26393610
Email: mu.embln.3@t-online.de
www.mauritius-embassy.de
Issuing of visas in Austria and Switzerland
See under Worth knowing the representations of Mauritius in Austria and Switzerland.
Currency
The national currency of Mauritius is the
Mauritian rupee
- Import and export of the local currencyThere are no restrictions, but there is an obligation to declare the local currency.
- Import and export of foreign currenciesThere is no obligation to declare foreign currencies.
Goods, souvenirs
Import and export
The import and export of weapons, ammunition or explosives is strictly prohibited. In addition, the import and export of plants and animals protected under the Washington Species Protection Act is prohibited. Violation can result in severe penalties. The import of plants and food is prohibited. Live animals must be quarantined for at least six months. As there is also an import ban for some pharmaceutical products, it is recommended that you bring a doctor’s prescription with you. The import of equipment for harpoon fishing is also prohibited.
Cheap goods, souvenirs
Typical souvenirs are spices, rum, silk fabrics, model ships as well as jewelry and precious stones.
Travel medicine, vaccinations and warnings
Infectious Diseases
In Mauritius, the following infectious diseases are to be expected, which are not or less common in Germany or Central and Northern Europe:
- Malaria: The country has been malaria free since 1999
- Schistosomiasis
- Cholera – but there is only a risk of infection for travelers who come into contact with polluted water or contaminated food.
- Dengue fever disease
- Intestinal infections from contaminated food or water, including amoeba, lamblia, salmonella, shigella and worm infestation, as well as all kinds of viruses and bacteria
- Hepatitis A and B
- tetanus
- Polio, polio
- Typhoid – however, there is only a risk of infection for travelers who come into contact with polluted water or contaminated food.
Recommended vaccinations
when traveling to Mauritius are recommended vaccinations against the following diseases:
- Cholera – but only for those travelers who may come into contact with polluted water or contaminated food.
- Diphtheria – a vaccination against diphtheria should always exist, also in the home country.
- Hepatitis A and B – vaccination against hepatitis B is only necessary for people who may come into contact with blood or who are looking for sexual contact. Regardless of this, vaccination against hepatitis A and B is generally recommended in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
- Polio, polio – vaccination against polio should always exist, also in the home country.
- Tetanus – a vaccination against tetanus should always exist, also in the home country.
- Typhus – but only for those travelers who can come into contact with polluted water or contaminated food.
Compulsory vaccination
For all persons older than one year and arriving from a yellow fever infection area designated by the WHO, there is a compulsory vaccination against a yellow fever disease.
Otherwise there is no compulsory vaccination
Yellow fever vaccination for children
In most countries where a yellow fever vaccination is compulsory, this also applies to children over one year of age, in some countries even from six months. It should be noted that
a vaccination against yellow fever had a number of side effects, such as encephalitis. Around two-thirds of those affected were children under six months. Therefore, under no circumstances should children under this age be vaccinated. But children under one year of age should also not be vaccinated if possible. If in doubt, yellow fever infection areas must then be avoided.
Any vaccination against yellow fever may only be carried out in specially authorized yellow fever vaccination centers!
Mauritius: Diplomatic missions
Visit Countryaah for a full list of Mauritius embassies and consulates in each country around the world.
Representations of Mauritius in Germany
The building of the Embassy of Mauritius is located in a high-rise office building on the lively Kurfürstenstrasse – corner of Markgrafenstrasse. In addition to the Embassy of Mauritius (2nd floor), the embassies of Colombia, Liberia and Lesotho are also located in the building. Because of the limited number of parking spaces available, it is advisable to use public transport. The bus stop for bus line 100, for example, is in the immediate vicinity of the embassy.
Embassy of Mauritius in Berlin
Kurfürstenstr. 84
10787 Berlin
Tel: 0049 – (0) 30 – 26 39 360
Email: mu.embln.3@t-online.de
Web: www.mauritius-embassy.de
German representations in Mauritius
Embassy
The Federal Republic of Germany has a representation in Madagascar that is also responsible for Mauritius.
German Honorary Consulate on Mauritius
Royal Road
St. Antoine, Goodlands
Tel: 00230 – 283 75 00
Email: germanconsul@intnet.mu
Austrian representations in Mauritius
Embassy
The Federal Republic of Austria does not have an embassy in Mauritius, but is represented by an honorary consulate. The embassy in South Africa is responsible.
Embassy of the Federal Republic of Austria in South Africa
1109, Duncan Street, Brooklyn
Pretoria 0181
Tel: 0027 – (0) 12 – 452 9155
Email: pretoria-ob@bmeia.gv.at
www.aussenministerium.at/pretoria
The Austrian Embassy in South Africa is still open responsible for:
- Botswana
- Lesotho
- Madagascar
- Namibia
- Swaziland
Honorary Consulate in Mauritius
MSC House, Old Quay ‘D’ Road
Port Louis
Tel: 00230 – 202 6800 1
Email: rene.sanson@msc.mu
Representations of Mauritius in Austria
Embassy
The embassy in Berlin is responsible
Consulate of Mauritius in Vienna
Führichgasse 6
1010 Vienna
Tel: 0043 – (0) 1 – 51 322 73
Email: peter.freissler@fpverlag.com
Swiss representations in Mauritius
Embassy
The embassy in Pretoria in South Africa is responsible
Consulate of Switzerland in Mauritius
2 Jules Koenig Street
Port Louis
PO Box 437
Tel: 00230 – 208 8763
Email: portlouis@honorarvertretung.ch
Representations of Mauritius in Switzerland
Embassy
The embassy in Paris is responsible.
Embassy of Mauritius in Paris
Rue de Tocqueville 127
75017 Paris
Tel: 0033 – (0) 1 – 42 27 30 19
